What now for UK politics? Last week’s elections were really bad for Labour. The party lost its century-long dominance in Wales, and tied for second place with Reform in Scotland. In England it lost control of 37 English local councils and almost 1,500 councillors.
People voted on local factors but also gave their verdict on the Westminster government. Many are disappointed and angry at Labour’s performance since the 2024 general election. Many of his own MPs blame Keir Starmer personally, and the wagons circling the Prime Minister have been closing in. Wes Streeting has resigned; another Labour MP, Josh Simons, is standing down to spark a by-election in an attempt to help Andy Burnham back into the Commons; a leadership contest may well follow.
But the challenges facing any government at present are immense – and shared by administrations across the West. Labour came to power promising change, growth, reform and renewal. But just like the Conservatives before them, they have been bogged down by a combination of eye-watering financial forecasts, international shocks and self-inflicted crises.
Local elections: 'Pray for the winners and the losers'
Millions of voters are going to the polls to pick their representatives in the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Senedd, and …